Football
Anders, Ashley
Ashley Anders
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers
- Email:
- wanders@murraystate.edu
- Phone:
- (270) 809-6857
Ashley Anders enters his third season as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Racers.
The 2011 Racer defense recorded their first road shutout in 15 seasons when they blanked Mississippi Valley State, 39-0. The shutout was part of a streak that saw the defense not allow a point for over seven quarters, covering a span of 121:34.
The defense made a habit of playing in the opponents backfield as linebacker Qua Huzzie led the OVC with 14 tackles-for-loss, while defensive end Kevin Robinson led the league with seven sacks.
Linebacker Sam Small ranked among the league leaders with 115 tackles, while both Huzzie and Small were named to the All-OVC Second Team.
In his first season with the Racers, Anders led a defense that ranked third nationally in tackles-for-loss (8.45). The 93 TFL ranked as the third highest total over the past two decades. The defense also set a school record with 24 quarterback hurries.
The linebacking corps combined for 28 tackles-for-loss, with middle linebacker Zach Kutch leading the way with nine. Harry McCall added seven stops behind the line, while Andre Clarke chipped in 6.5.
Anders came to Murray after spending the previous three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Georgia Southern.
In 2009, Anders’ defensive unit led the Southern Conference with 14 forced fumbles and tied for third in the league with 11 interceptions.
Defensive lineman Brent Russell and Markeith Wylie combined for 22 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks in earning second-team all-SoCon honors.
During the 2008 season, Anders coached two All-Americans in Chris Covington (linebacker) and Dakota Walker (defensive end). Covington, who began the season in the secondary, moved to Anders’ linebacker unit in week five and would go on and rank among the Southern Conference leaders in tackles for loss (second SoCon, tied 40th nationally) and sacks (third SoCon, tied 39th nationally). Walker not only led the SoCon in sacks but finished tied for 12th nationally.
When Covington was named SoCon ‘Defensive Player of the Year’ by the Sports Media Association, he became the third player in Eagle history to accomplish the feat, and first since 2001. Both he and Walker earned First Team All-SoCon honors.
The Eagle defense, playing as many as nine true-freshmen on a consistent basis, saved their best performance for last in a 17-10 win at 14th-ranked Furman to close out the season with a winning record. The 10 points allowed were the fewest by an opponent since October 2005.
The defense saw a league-best four rookies named to the inaugural SoCon All-Freshman Team. As a defensive unit, the Eagles ranked 22nd nationally averaging 7.0 tackles for a loss and 26th recording 2.4 sacks per game.
Not only did Anders’ defensive unit rank among the SoCon leaders, the kickoff coverage team set the standard. Led by Patrick Bolen, the Eagles led the SoCon in net kickoff yards forcing opponents to start on their own 25 yard line.
During the 2007 season the Eagles’ defense ranked 14th nationally in turnover margin (+1.09). That impressive average was tied into the team’s 56th ranking in interceptions, 17th in fumble recoveries and 37th in turnovers gained. Overall, the defensive unit recorded 65 tackles-for-loss, 19 sacks, 11 interceptions and 56 pass break-ups.
Prior to Georgia Southern, Anders spent five years working on Chris Hatcher’s staff at Valdosta State. During his final four years, he served as the defensive coordinator and was in charge of the kickoff teams.
During his tenure as defensive coordinator, the Blazers qualified for the NCAA playoffs three times and posted a 40-8 record. They finished no worse than third place in the always tough Gulf South Conference, including titles in 2002 and 2004, and a pair of runner-up finishes.
At a place known for its offensive production, Anders’ defensive unit was equally impressive. In 2006, the Blazers defense allowed just 15.7 points a game, 25th best in Division II. VSU ranked 35th nationally in total defense (270 yards/game), while totaling 24 takeaways in 10 games. The unit recorded 69 tackles-for-loss, 22 sacks, 13 interceptions and 38 pass break-ups.
When VSU played for the 2004 National Championship, Anders and defensive staff went up against one of the most explosive offenses in NCAA history. Pittsburg State had set NCAA records, for all divisions, in scoring offense (57.6 ppg) and total offense (616 yards/game). Anders’ defensive scheme held the Gorilla offense to just 31 points en route to the title.
The 2004 defense led the nation in turnover margin, registering 34 takeaways and a plus-20 margin.
While at VSU, Anders’ linebackers earned six All-Gulf South Conference honors, including all three during the 2002 campaign. Three of his defensive players (Spencer Fortson, Tim Thompson and Sherard Reynolds) earned All-America status and Thompson eventually signed with the Tennessee Titans. Linebacker Maurice Leggett (2002-03) is currently playing defensive back for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Anders spent two years at Holmes Community College prior to arriving at Valdosta, coaching the linebackers, secondary and special teams. While at HCC, he coached All-America Deral Slay, who went on to play at South Carolina.
He spent a year and a half at Auburn as a graduate assistant coach (1999-2000), coaching the defensive backs and special teams during the 1999 season.
In 1996, he started his coaching career at Star City (Arkansas) High School. During his time, he served three years as head basketball coach and assistant football; and one year as assistant baseball, assistant strength and conditioning, as well as one year as head strength coach. During his last season at Star City, he served as the football program’s defensive coordinator. In his year as the assistant strength coach, his weightlifting team won a state title.
A native of Hampton, Arkansas, he was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball) earning all-district and all-conference honors as a defensive back in football and a pitcher in baseball. He played baseball at Arkansas-Monticello, where he helped the team capture the AIC conference title and qualify for the NAIA regionals.
He received his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Arkansas-Monticello in 1996, and his master’s in sports administration from Auburn in 2000.
Anders and his wife, Sheri, have three children: Mary Alex, Cade and Camden.
The 2011 Racer defense recorded their first road shutout in 15 seasons when they blanked Mississippi Valley State, 39-0. The shutout was part of a streak that saw the defense not allow a point for over seven quarters, covering a span of 121:34.
The defense made a habit of playing in the opponents backfield as linebacker Qua Huzzie led the OVC with 14 tackles-for-loss, while defensive end Kevin Robinson led the league with seven sacks.
Linebacker Sam Small ranked among the league leaders with 115 tackles, while both Huzzie and Small were named to the All-OVC Second Team.
In his first season with the Racers, Anders led a defense that ranked third nationally in tackles-for-loss (8.45). The 93 TFL ranked as the third highest total over the past two decades. The defense also set a school record with 24 quarterback hurries.
The linebacking corps combined for 28 tackles-for-loss, with middle linebacker Zach Kutch leading the way with nine. Harry McCall added seven stops behind the line, while Andre Clarke chipped in 6.5.
Anders came to Murray after spending the previous three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Georgia Southern.
In 2009, Anders’ defensive unit led the Southern Conference with 14 forced fumbles and tied for third in the league with 11 interceptions.
Defensive lineman Brent Russell and Markeith Wylie combined for 22 tackles-for-loss and nine sacks in earning second-team all-SoCon honors.
During the 2008 season, Anders coached two All-Americans in Chris Covington (linebacker) and Dakota Walker (defensive end). Covington, who began the season in the secondary, moved to Anders’ linebacker unit in week five and would go on and rank among the Southern Conference leaders in tackles for loss (second SoCon, tied 40th nationally) and sacks (third SoCon, tied 39th nationally). Walker not only led the SoCon in sacks but finished tied for 12th nationally.
When Covington was named SoCon ‘Defensive Player of the Year’ by the Sports Media Association, he became the third player in Eagle history to accomplish the feat, and first since 2001. Both he and Walker earned First Team All-SoCon honors.
The Eagle defense, playing as many as nine true-freshmen on a consistent basis, saved their best performance for last in a 17-10 win at 14th-ranked Furman to close out the season with a winning record. The 10 points allowed were the fewest by an opponent since October 2005.
The defense saw a league-best four rookies named to the inaugural SoCon All-Freshman Team. As a defensive unit, the Eagles ranked 22nd nationally averaging 7.0 tackles for a loss and 26th recording 2.4 sacks per game.
Not only did Anders’ defensive unit rank among the SoCon leaders, the kickoff coverage team set the standard. Led by Patrick Bolen, the Eagles led the SoCon in net kickoff yards forcing opponents to start on their own 25 yard line.
During the 2007 season the Eagles’ defense ranked 14th nationally in turnover margin (+1.09). That impressive average was tied into the team’s 56th ranking in interceptions, 17th in fumble recoveries and 37th in turnovers gained. Overall, the defensive unit recorded 65 tackles-for-loss, 19 sacks, 11 interceptions and 56 pass break-ups.
Prior to Georgia Southern, Anders spent five years working on Chris Hatcher’s staff at Valdosta State. During his final four years, he served as the defensive coordinator and was in charge of the kickoff teams.
During his tenure as defensive coordinator, the Blazers qualified for the NCAA playoffs three times and posted a 40-8 record. They finished no worse than third place in the always tough Gulf South Conference, including titles in 2002 and 2004, and a pair of runner-up finishes.
At a place known for its offensive production, Anders’ defensive unit was equally impressive. In 2006, the Blazers defense allowed just 15.7 points a game, 25th best in Division II. VSU ranked 35th nationally in total defense (270 yards/game), while totaling 24 takeaways in 10 games. The unit recorded 69 tackles-for-loss, 22 sacks, 13 interceptions and 38 pass break-ups.
When VSU played for the 2004 National Championship, Anders and defensive staff went up against one of the most explosive offenses in NCAA history. Pittsburg State had set NCAA records, for all divisions, in scoring offense (57.6 ppg) and total offense (616 yards/game). Anders’ defensive scheme held the Gorilla offense to just 31 points en route to the title.
The 2004 defense led the nation in turnover margin, registering 34 takeaways and a plus-20 margin.
While at VSU, Anders’ linebackers earned six All-Gulf South Conference honors, including all three during the 2002 campaign. Three of his defensive players (Spencer Fortson, Tim Thompson and Sherard Reynolds) earned All-America status and Thompson eventually signed with the Tennessee Titans. Linebacker Maurice Leggett (2002-03) is currently playing defensive back for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Anders spent two years at Holmes Community College prior to arriving at Valdosta, coaching the linebackers, secondary and special teams. While at HCC, he coached All-America Deral Slay, who went on to play at South Carolina.
He spent a year and a half at Auburn as a graduate assistant coach (1999-2000), coaching the defensive backs and special teams during the 1999 season.
In 1996, he started his coaching career at Star City (Arkansas) High School. During his time, he served three years as head basketball coach and assistant football; and one year as assistant baseball, assistant strength and conditioning, as well as one year as head strength coach. During his last season at Star City, he served as the football program’s defensive coordinator. In his year as the assistant strength coach, his weightlifting team won a state title.
A native of Hampton, Arkansas, he was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and baseball) earning all-district and all-conference honors as a defensive back in football and a pitcher in baseball. He played baseball at Arkansas-Monticello, where he helped the team capture the AIC conference title and qualify for the NAIA regionals.
He received his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from Arkansas-Monticello in 1996, and his master’s in sports administration from Auburn in 2000.
Anders and his wife, Sheri, have three children: Mary Alex, Cade and Camden.
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